School to close after a century of education

 

Powys County Council’s cabinet approved plans to start the formal consultation to close Llangedwyn Church in Wales Primary School, but agreed that Llanfechain Church in Wales Primary School remain open although it should be federated with a neighbouring school.

The county council has been reviewing the future of small schools to “make sure it is making the most efficient use of resources and providing a sustainable primary school structure”.

Cabinet Member for Learning and Leisure, Councillor Stephen Hayes said: “I recognise that Llangedwyn Primary School has served its community successfully for over a century and is highly regarded in the community.

“However, pupil numbers have been low for some time and show little prospect of improvement. The school currently has more than a third surplus capacity and there are places available in nearby schools. We have decided that the current situation in Llangedwyn cannot continue and will start consultation with a view to closing the school.

“Although the situation in Llanfechain is similar in some respects, there are good prospects of school pupil numbers improving and savings can be made by federating the school with neighbouring Llansanffraid.”

The Llangedwyn consultation will include a community impact assessment, and if there are objections the final decision will be taken by the Minister in the Welsh Government. If approval is given the school could close in August 2012.